FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2025
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association today presented its listing of U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes Races for calendar year 2025, the results of its annual grading session conducted December 16 and 17.
The committee reviewed 957 U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000, and assigned Graded status to 415 of them, 14 fewer than were graded in 2024, and Listed status to 210 races. Four Graded races were upgraded; one new Grade I and three new Grade II races were named; nine new Grade III races were identified. Twelve new Listed races and one new Listed-Restricted race were upgraded from non-Listed Black Type (NLBT) status.
Thirty-three Graded races were downgraded; one Grade I, 10 Grade II and 22 Grade III races were demoted. Twenty-one Listed races were downgraded to NLBT status.
One race was upgraded from Grade II to Grade I status for 2025: the American Turf S. at Churchill Downs.
One race was downgraded from Grade I to Grade II status for 2025: the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. at Saratoga.
Three races were upgraded to Grade II status for 2025: the Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. at Belmont at Aqueduct, Chicago S. at Churchill Downs, and Sycamore S. at Keeneland.
Ten races were downgraded from Grade II to Grade III status for 2025: the John A. Nerud S. and Pennine Ridge S. at Belmont at Aqueduct; Delaware H. at Delaware Park; Ft. Lauderdale S. and Pan American S. at Gulfstream Park; Hagyard Fayette S. at Keeneland; San Gabriel S., Summertime Oaks, and Triple Bend S. at Santa Anita Park; and True North S. at Saratoga.
Nine races were upgraded to Grade III status for 2025: the Glen Cove S. and Winter Memories S. at Belmont at Aqueduct; Arisides S., Kelly’s Landing S., and Mamzelle S. at Churchill Downs; Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational S. at Kentucky Downs; Unzip Me S. at Santa Anita Park; and Coronation Cup S. and Mahony S. at Saratoga.
Twenty-two races were downgraded from Grade III to Listed status for 2025: the Go For Wand S., Toboggan S., and Withers S. at Aqueduct; Dwyer S., Knickerbocker S., and Noble Damsel S. at Belmont at Aqueduct; Cardinal S. at Churchill Downs; Bob Hope S. at Del Mar; Kitten’s Joy S., Suwannee River S., and Sweetest Chant S. at Gulfstream Park; John B. Connally Turf Cup S. at Sam Houston Race Park; Barbara Fritchie S. and General George S. at Laurel Park; Monmouth S. at Monmouth Park; West Virginia Governor’s S. at Mountaineer Park; Chick Lang S. at Pimlico; Providencia S. and Santa Ynez S. at Santa Anita Park; Saranac S. at Saratoga; Sunland Park Derby and Sunland Park; and Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
Twelve races were upgraded to Listed status for 2025: the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. (2YO turf); Chorleywood S., Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight S., Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. and Roxelana Overnight S. at Churchill Downs; Van Clief S. at Colonial Downs; Lafayette S. at Keeneland; Gun Runner S. at Kentucky Downs; Matron S. at Oaklawn Park; Cathryn Sophia S. at Parx Racing; Hilltop S. at Pimlico; and John Shear S. at Santa Anita Park.
One race was upgraded to Listed-Restricted status for 2025: the Lure S. at Santa Anita Park.
Twenty-one races were downgraded from Listed to non-Listed Black Type status for 2025: the Heavenly Prize S. and Interborough S. at Aqueduct; Awad S. at Belmont at Aqueduct; Kent S. at Delaware Park; Marie G. Krantz Memorial S. and Silverbulletday S. at Fair Grounds; Carry Back S. at Gulfstream Park; Prince George’s County S., Richard W. Small S., and Safely Kept S. at Laurel Park; Cliff Hanger S., Mr. Prospector S., Oceanport S., and Sapling S. at Monmouth Park; Bathhouse Row S. at Oaklawn Park; Parx Dash S. at Parx Racing; James W. Murphy S. at Pimlico; Presque Isle Mile S. at Presque Isle Downs; Governor’s Cup S. at Remington Park; Jersey Girl S. at Saratoga; and Zia Park Oaks at Zia Park.
The Flat Out S. at Belmont Park; Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. (3UP dirt) at Breeders’ Cup Limited; Tropical Turf S. at Gulfstream Park; Dr. James Penny Memorial S. at Parx Racing; Kalookan Queen S. at Santa Anita Park; and Alydar S., Riskaverse S., Summer Colony S. and Tale of the Cat S. at Saratoga were not eligible for grading in 2025.
Following is a summary breakdown of all grade levels and a complete list of all upgraded and downgraded U.S. races for 2025 as well as the complete list of 2025 Graded and Listed stakes.
| 2025 Gr. Stakes | Number | % Graded | %Eligible | Change from 2024 |
| Grade I | 93 | 22.40% | – | |
| Grade II | 130 | 31.30% | -7 | |
| Grade III | 192 | 46.30% | -7 | |
| All Graded | 415 | 43.40% | ||
| Listed | 198 | 20.70% | ||
| Listed – Restricted | 12 | 1.20% | ||
| Non-Listed Eligible | 332 | 34.70% | ||
| All Gr., L & NLE Races | 957 |
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), based in Lexington, Ky., was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred owners and breeders. TOBA’s mission is to improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Claiming Crown, Ownership Seminars, Breeding, Conformation & Pedigree Clinics, US-Bred, OwnerView and the Sales Integrity Program. TOBA provides international representation for U.S. owners and breeders on the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee, International Cataloguing Standards Committee and International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation. Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is the charitable arm of TOBA. TOBA Media Properties, a subsidiary of TOBA, is the co-owner of BloodHorse LLC. TOBA is represented on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium as founding members.
TOBA American Graded Stakes Committee
Summary of Decisions Made at December 16 and 17, 2024 Grading Session
RACES UPGRADED FOR 2025:
| Two-Year-Old Fillies | ||
| None | ||
| Three-Year-Old Fillies | ||
| Coronation Cup S. (T) | (Saratoga) | Listed to Grade III |
| Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational S. (T) | (Kentucky Downs) | Listed to Grade III |
| Glen Cove S. (T) | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Listed to Grade III |
| Mamzelle S. (T) | (Churchill Downs) | Listed to Grade III |
| Unzip Me S. (T) | (Santa Anita Park) | Listed to Grade III |
| Winter Memories S. (T)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â . | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Listed to Grade III |
| Cathryn Sophia S. | (Parx Racing) | NLBT to Listed |
| Hilltop S. (T) | (Pimlico) | NLBT to Listed |
| Older Fillies and Mares | ||
| Chicago S. | (Churchill Downs) | Grade III to Grade II |
| Matron S. | (Oaklawn Park) | NLBT to Listed |
| Roxelana Overnight S. | (Churchill Downs) | NLBT to Listed |
| Two-Year-Olds | ||
| Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. (T) | (Breeders’ Cup Limited) | NLBT to Listed |
| Three-Year-Olds | ||
| American Turf S. (T) | (Churchill Downs) | Grade II to Grade I |
| Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. (T) | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Grade III to Grade II |
| Mahony S. (T) | (Saratoga) | Listed to Grade III |
| Gun Runner S. (T) | (Kentucky Downs) | NLBT to Listed |
| Lafayette S. | (Keeneland) | NLBT to Listed |
| John Shear S. (T) | (Santa Anita Park) | NLBT to Listed |
| Older Horses | ||
| Sycamore S. (T) | (Keeneland) | Grade III to Grade II |
| Aristides S. | (Churchill Downs) | Listed to Grade III |
| Kelly’s Landing S. | (Churchill Downs) | Listed to Grade III |
| Chorleywood S. (T) | (Churchill Downs) | NLBT to Listed |
| Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight S. | (Churchill Downs) | NLBT to Listed |
| Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. | (Churchill Downs) | NLBT to Listed |
| Van Clief S. (T) | (Churchill Downs) | NLBT to Listed |
| Lure S. (T) | (Santa Anita Park) | NLBT to Listed – Restricted |
TOBA American Graded Stakes Committee
Summary of Decisions Made at December 16 and 17, 2024 Grading Session
RACES DOWNGRADED FOR 2025:
| Two-Year-Old Fillies | ||
| None | ||
| Three-Year-Old Fillies | ||
| Summertime Oaks | (Santa Anita Park) | Grade II to Grade III |
| Providencia S. (T) | (Santa Anita Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Santa Ynez S. | (Santa Anita Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Sweetest Chant S. (T) | (Gulfstream Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Jersey Girl S. | (Saratoga) | Listed to NLBT |
| Safely Kept S. | (Laurel Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Silverbulletday S. | (Fair Grounds) | Listed to NLBT |
| Zia Park Oaks | (Zia Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Riskaverse S. (T) | (Saratoga) | not eligible for grading |
| Older Fillies and Mares | ||
| Delaware H. | (Delaware Park) | Grade II to Grade III |
| Barbara Fritchie S. | (Laurel Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Cardinal S. (T) | (Churchill Downs) | Grade III to Listed |
| Go For Wand S. | (Aqueduct) | Grade III to Listed |
| Noble Damsel S. (T) | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Grade III to Listed |
| Suwannee River S. (T) | (Gulfstream Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Heavenly Prize Invitational S. | (Aqueduct) | Listed to NLBT |
| Interborough S. | (Aqueduct) | Listed to NLBT |
| Marie G. Krantz Memorial S. (T) | (Fair Grounds) | Listed to NLBT |
| Dr. James Penny Memorial S. (T) | (Parx Racing) | not eligible for grading |
| Kalookan Queen S. | (Santa Anita Park) | not eligible for grading |
| Summer Colony S. | (Saratoga) | not eligible for grading |
| Two-Year-Olds | ||
| Bob Hope S. | (Del Mar) | Grade III to Listed |
| Awad S. (T) | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Listed to NLBT |
| Sapling S. | (Monmouth Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Three-Year-Olds | ||
| Pennine Ridge S. (T) | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Grade II to Grade III |
| Chick Lang S. | (Pimlico) | Grade III to Listed |
| Dwyer S. | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Grade III to Listed |
| Kitten’s Joy S. (T) | (Gulfstream Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Sam F. Davis S. | (Tampa Bay Downs) | Grade III to Listed |
| Saranac S. (T) | (Saratoga) | Grade III to Listed |
| Sunland Park Derby | (Sunland Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Withers S. | (Aqueduct) | Grade III to Listed |
| Bathhouse Row S. | (Oaklawn Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Carry Back S. | (Gulfstream Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| James W. Murphy S. (T) | (Pimlico) | Listed to NLBT |
| Kent S. (T) | (Delaware Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Older Horses | ||
| Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. | (Saratoga) | Grade I to Grade II |
| Ft. Lauderdale S. (T) | (Gulfstream Park) | Grade II to Grade III |
| Hagyard Fayette S. | (Keeneland) | Grade II to Grade III |
| John A. Nerud S. | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Grade II to Grade III |
| Pan American S. (T) | (Gulfstream Park) | Grade II to Grade III |
| San Gabriel S. (T) | (Santa Anita Park) | Grade II to Grade III |
| Triple Bend S. | (Santa Anita Park) | Grade II to Grade III |
| True North S. | (Saratoga) | Grade II to Grade III |
| General George S. | (Laurel Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| John B. Connally Turf Cup S. (T) | (Sam Houston Race Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Knickerbocker S. (T) | (Belmont at Aqueduct) | Grade III to Listed |
| Monmouth S. (T) | (Monmouth Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Toboggan S. | (Aqueduct) | Grade III to Listed |
| West Virginia Governor’s S. | (Mountaineer Park) | Grade III to Listed |
| Cliff Hanger S. (T) | (Monmouth Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Governor’s Cup S. | (Remington Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Mr. Prospector S. | (Monmouth Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Oceanport S. (T) | (Monmouth Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Parx Dash S. (T) | (Parx Racing) | Listed to NLBT |
| Presque Isle Mile S. (A) | (Presque Isle Downs) | Listed to NLBT |
| Prince George’s County S. (T) | (Laurel Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Richard W. Small S. | (Laurel Park) | Listed to NLBT |
| Alydar S. | (Saratoga) | not eligible for grading |
| Flat Out S. | (Belmont Park) | not eligible for grading |
| Tale of the Cat S. | (Saratoga) | not eligible for grading |
| Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. | (Breeders’ Cup Limited) | not eligible for grading |
| Tropical Turf S. (T) | (Gulfstream Park) | not eligible for grading |
Contact:
Andrew Schweigardt
(859) 277-5891